I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering if the world has gone slightly mad at the moment.

Not a day goes by without the media reporting extraordinarily un-statesperson-like soundbites from people in the highest leadership positions in the world, while closer to home, Prime Minister’s Questions seems to have turned into a shouting and pointing contest.

In recent years, such behaviours seem to have become normalised and are now increasingly entering our working lives, not just affecting planners, but teachers, retail staff and healthcare professionals to name just a few.

In the line of duty?

Although arising from a very small proportion of cases or projects a planner will deal with in their career, the impact can be significant.  I clearly recall two incidents from my own public sector planning career: one where I was physically threatened at the end of a public meeting, and another where I was verbally abused while at a restaurant with my family. In the first case, the perpetrator was an objector to proposed development; in the second case, the perpetrators were objecting to a Local Development Plan site allocation. Both were ultimately decisions taken by elected councillors, but as the public face of planning, you take the flak.

I largely shrugged both incidents off as being part of the job: but they aren’t. Nor should they be.  The cases that really got my goat were those affecting my team: two female colleagues were followed across the county when driving away from a site visit, and in another incident a colleague had his car damaged with paint stripper on the night of a particularly difficult enforcement site visit: an unlikely coincidence.

Recent events

In just the last week, I’ve been alerted to three cases where planners have been at the receiving end of inappropriate public criticism and (let’s call it what it is) abuse from elected members during Planning Committee meetings. And due to a combination of professionalism, public scrutiny and a power imbalance, planners often feel like they have no option but to sit there and take it.

Behaviour affecting wellbeing and safety isn’t just a public sector worker issue either. I’ve been alerted to examples ranging from social media accusations and abuse, to intimidating behaviour at community consultation events, to cars being blocked in or tyres let down.

So what can be done to tackle these issues?

In response to increasing concerns about physical and verbal abuse to both public and private sector planners, RTPI Trustee Catherine McKinney MRTPI, myself, and a core group of volunteers, are looking to provide a toolbox for our members. We are exploring a range of topics including best practice for employers on safety on site or in community meetings, dealing with social media abuse, and tackling inappropriate conduct by elected members,

In some instances, the toolbox will provide guidance on action individuals can consider taking (for example making complaints via the elected member code of conduct). In other instances it will set out the responsibilities of others (such as your employer’s liability to ensure lone worker safety guidance is in place), and in other scenarios we’re exploring where we can use our influence as your professional membership institute.

The Safety of Planners working group current actions include:

• Exploring best practice for lone working safety
• Engaging with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust with a view to providing safety training
• Meeting with the Local Government Association (LGA) to seek to expand its Debate Not Hate campaign to include public sector employees not just elected members
• Discussing concerns about the behaviour of a minority of elected members with the LGA

What can you do?

Some existing tools are already available to support our members:

• Members can access a free mental health and wellbeing helpline via our website.
• Members can also access free legal advice via our website. 

You will need to login as a member using the login option on each of the above links to view the content. 

Be mindful of what you’re posting, liking or re-sharing on social media. As tempting as it might be, don’t call out poor behaviour by others in anger. Our social media guide provides helpful advice on ensuring your own use of social media complies with your professional code of conduct.

Escalate your concerns to your employer, who has a duty of care for you.

Pick up the phone instead of emailing. While email has allowed for quick and convenient written communication, it’s easy to forget there’s a human at the receiving end. When you can, why not phone that colleague / councillor / applicant / consultee and build a stronger human relationship? It might even resolve an issue quicker than an exchange of eight emails.

And most of all, be kind.